Tag Archives: horror

This time we called on our friend, author and podcaster, Emerian Rich who also writes teen romance under the name Emmy Z Madrigal. We bribed her with a promise of a link to her site from our prestigious organ and then put her to the questions.

The Questions

What was the last book you read and who was it by?

It was actually something silly. Withering Tights by Louise Rennison. I did enjoy it though! I like to alternate between YA books and horror. It tends to make me less bored of what I am reading. The adult one I am reading that is fabulous (but I haven’t finished it yet) is the 3rd book of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies titled Dreadfully Ever After by Steve Hockensmith.

What is a favorite book from childhood?

My first love of books started when I came across the S. E. Hinton series. The Outsiders; Rumblefish; That Was Then, This Is Now, etc… Ponyboy and Sodapop were my heroes! I also loved how S. E. Hinton weaved her stories into one another. Characters from one book might make an appearance in the other, much like my college-age favorite, Anne Rice. I love it when an author does that!

What book do you absolutely hate but were forced to read?

Some will say I am sacrilegious, but the true answer is, the Bible. I am not against Christianity, but growing up a minister’s child, the Bible was always a mandatory item. As a child I hated always having to memorize passages!

Are you a book collector, avid library patron, or do you use the revolving door at the used book store?

All of the above. I love reading and I love books. Actually, I’m packing up my home library now and am finding it hard to let some go.

What book would you recommend to others?

Besides my own? Hehhee.
New – The Pride and Prejudice and Zombies books, the two written by Steve Hockensmith (not the 1st one).
Old – Anything Jane Austen or Anne Rice
YA- The Blue Bloods vampire series by Melissa De La Cruz

As an English major in college I had to read the poetry of Wordsworth, which resulted in a loathing I retain to this day.
Are you a book collector, avid library patron, or do you use the revolving door at the used book store?

I collect reference books, especially old books on etiquette and manners. Being that I live in Portland, I am a frequent patron of Powell’s for both new and used books.

What book would you recommend to others?

“Babbitt” by Sinclair Lewis. Or “Main Street”. Or basically just anything by Sinclair Lewis.

Due to some connection difficulties, we were unable to interview Seanan this week. We are rescheduling with her, and I will update you as soon as we have a new date.

A changeling private detective. Politicians and zombies. A family of cryptozoologists. If any of these appeal to you, you are probably already familiar with our next guest on Off the Shelf. Seanan McGuire is the author of the October Daye urban fantasy series and upcoming InCryptid series.

While as Mira Grant, she reports on politics in a post zombie plague world in the ongoing NewsFlesh trilogy

Simeon will interview Ms. McGuire on April 10 at 1:00 pm PDT. You are welcome to join him in the podcast studio during the interview or listen live at RadioRiel.org.

You may remember when Simeon Beresford answered these five question, he mentioned Barbara Hambly’s Bride of the Rat God twice. It and several of the author’s other works have just become available as ebooks. Her publishers sent us a video of her talking about her work, and it got us thinking. We decide we would have to ask her those five questions.

The Questions.

Last book I read?

1776 by David McCullough.

Favorite book from childhood?

Gosh, there were so many, but I’d have to go with Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz (#4 of the series, counting Wonderful Wizard as #1).

Book I absolutely hated and was forced to read?

(Other than the math textbooks in High School?) Old Mother West-Wind (again, a kid’s book. Mostly since the age of about 10 I read fast enough that I didn’t really HATE books, I just got through the ones I found tedious).

Are you a book collector, avid library patron, or do you use the revolving door at the used book store?

I collect books idiosyncratically – both for research and for reading pleasure. I don’t have much time to read, and when I’m overworked and emotionally exhausted (as I have been since about 2006) I tend to re-read favorite fiction: it’s like having the emotional equivalent of a fluttery stomach, which will only tolerate certain things.

What book would I recommend to others?

WHICH others? Who are we talking about? Some people I think really should read Connie Willis’s To Say Nothing of the Dog, or Georgette Heyer’s A Civil Contract, or Fred Pohl’s Gateway; others really need to read The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous before they go any further.